Applicator with spring pressed cover



Nov. 7, 1967 G. SCHWARTZMAN 3,351,417

APPLICATOR WITH SPRING PRESSED COVER Filed Feb. 16, 1966 United States Patent 3,351,417 APPLICATGR WITH SPRING PRESSED COVER .Gilbert Schwartzman, 20 Wilmot Circle, Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 Filed Feb. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 527,986 6 Claims. (Cl. 401-406) This invention relates to a fluid applicator having a spring pressed cover forming an applicator surface, and more particularly to a two-piece applicator for use in applying cosmetics, medications, shoe polish and other fluids on the person, clothing, shoes, or the like of the user.

In the past various types of fluid applicators have been devised which generally included three main parts. These parts included a retaining ring, a cover swaged or otherwise secured to the retaining ring, and a valve assembly. With the advent of modern day molding techniques and the utilization of polyethylene for forming valve springs, it now becomes within the concept of the present inven tion to make a two-piece fluid applicator which allows for ease of assembly and therefore reduced cost, while also assuring optimum fluid application and effective use.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a two-piece fluid applicator which includes a valve assembly integrally molded with the retaining ring.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a fluid applicator having a two-piece construction including the cover formed of a laminated disc and porous body and so arranged that the cover is sealed in a fluid tight manner relative to the retaining ring so as to permit optimum application of fluid.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a valve construction for a two-piece applicator in which the valve is opened upon pressure applied on the resilient body forming a part of the cover of the applicator during utilization.

Still further objects and features of the invention reside in the provision of a fluid applicator that is of a two-piece construction yet which is provided with an initial sealing arrangement, which is simple in construction and manufacture thereby permitting wide utilization and distribution, which is capable of being manufactured in various sizes so as to permit utilization for a great number of products, and which is capable of being made out of readily available materials.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention, which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this applicator with spring pressed sealed cover, preferred embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, by way of example only, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded vertical sectional view of a fluid applicator employing the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the applicator shown in vertical cross section.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the plane of line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view looking in the direction of line 4-4 in FIG. 2 with a portion thereof being broken away to show details of construction;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the applicator in use and in a valve open position;

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the plane of line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional detailed view of a modified form of valve construction shown in an initially sealed position; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional detail view of the assembly shown in FIG. 7 in a valve closed position, but after initial use.

3,351,417 Patented Nov. 7, 1967 With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the fluid applicator comprising the present invention. This fluid applicator is adapted to be inserted on the neck 12 of any suitable container in which fluid is to be dispensed and applied. The fluid applicator 10 includes two main portions, a retaining ring 14 and a cover 16. The retaining ring is of a onepiece construction and is integrally molded in a single step out of polyethylene or like suitable material. The retaining ring 14 includes an elongated projecting portion 18 including a tapered end 20 terminating in an inwardly extending flange portion 22 which has integrally formed therewith helical coils 24 forming the valve spring of a valve assembly 26 including a valve head 28. The retaining ring 14 further includes a peripheral flange 30 of greater diameter than the projecting portion 18, the projecting portion being sized to fit in the neck 12 of a suitable container so that the retaining ring forms a shoulder 32 for engaging the mouth 34 of the neck 12.

The valve head 28 includes a lower cylindrical portion 36 a conical middle portion 38 and a detent 40 which is square in cross section.

The cover 16 is of a laminated construction including a disc 42 having a central aperture 44 therein, which is of circular cross section and larger in diameter than the detent 4t) and adapted to form a valve seat for engagement by the tapered conical portion 48 at the peripheral edge 46. Bonded to the disc 42 which may be made out of polyethylene or other suitable material is a body 48 of porous resilient material, such as polyurethane foam. The flange 30 has an inwardly turned or swaged portion 50 which is adapted to overlie the upper edge 52 of the disc and pressed in on the body 48 in. a manner so that the cover 16 can be snapped into place in a manner so as to permit for a fluid tight seal for optimum application of fluid passing through aperture 44 and onto the resilient porous body 48. The assembly of the fluid applicator is a one-step operation of merely snapping in the cover 16 with respect to the flange 30. In this position the detent 40 extends upwardly and abuts against the body 48 by extending through the aperture 44 so that the conical portion 38 forms a seal with the disc 42. The spring coils 24 are of suflicient strength to overcome any force exerted by the body 48 as to be bowed to form a slight dome-like curvature of highly attractive appearance. The seal formed by the conical portion 38 and the peripheral edge 46 restrains fluid flow since the detent 40 is of the square cross section, while the aperture 44 is circular in configuration. However, when the fluid applicator is utilized, pressure on the domed upper surface will press the detent inwardly and therefore press the conical portion 38 away from the disc permitting fluid flow through the aperture 44 and into the body 48.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 there is shown a modified form of valve head in which a gasket either integrally moulded with the valve head 128 or appended thereto is utilized. This gasket is initially positioned above the disc 142 by being pushed through the tapered aperture 144 therein. However, upon initial application, the gasket will be pushed through the aperture 144 and will form a secondary seal, as shown in FIG. 8.

A latitude of modification, substitution and change is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

I claim:

1. A fluid applicator comprising a retainer ring having a projecting portion extending downwardly therefrom and a peripheral flange extending upwardly therefrom, a disc having an aperture therethrough defining a valve seat, a resilient porous body bonded to said disc and overlying said aperture, said disc being secured to said flange, and a valve assembly including a valve head extending through said aperture and being engageable with said valve seat to prevent fluid flow through said aperture, said valve assembly including helical coils integral with said projecting portion and said valve head.

2. A fluid applicator according to claim 1, wherein there is a snap-in connection between said disc and said flange.

3. A fluid applicator according to claim 2, wherein said disc is sealed relative to said flange.

4. A fluid applicator according to claim 1, wherein said valve head resiliently abuts said body.

5. A fluid applicator according to claim 1, wherein said retainer ring and said valve assembly are of polyethylene, said valve head being square in cross section, said aperture being circular in cross section.

6. A fluid applicator according to claim 1, including gasket means on said valve head for forming an initial seal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1965 Sch'wartzman 15--566 6/1966 Schwartzman 15569 

1. A FLUID APPLICATOR COMPRISING A RETAINER RING HAVING A PROJECTING PORTION EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THEREFROM AND A PAERIPHERAL FLANGE EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM, A DISC HAVING AN APERTURE THERETHROUGH DEFINING A VALVE SEAT, A RESILIENT POROUS BODY BONDED TO SAID DISC AND OVERLYING SAID APERTURE, SAID DISC BEING SECURED TO SAID FLANGE, AND A VALVE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A VALVE HEAD EXTENDING THROUGH SAID APERTURE AND BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID VALVE SEAT TO PREVENT FLUID FLOW THROUGH SAID APERTURE, SAID VALVE ASSEMBELY INCLUDING HELICAL COILS INTEGRAL WITH SAID PROJECTING PORTION AND SAID VALVE HEAD. 